Game Statistics
Photo Gallery
EDMOND (Sept. 11) – Ethan Sharp overcame a slow start with a fast finish to spark Central Oklahoma to a much-needed 37-21 Lone Star Conference triumph over Tarleton State Saturday night at Wantland Stadium.
The sophomore quarterback was just 3-of-6 passing for 20 yards with an interception in UCO's first two possessions, but he hit 16 of his last 18 attempts to finish 19-of-24 for 190 yards and two touchdowns while also running for a score as the Bronchos led from start-to-finish.
Running back Josh Birmingham rushed for 97 yards and two TDs, Dolphin Davis caught both scoring passes and the defense limited Tarleton to 295 total yards in helping UCO even its record at 1-1 in its league opener.
“That was a big, big win for our football team,” UCO coach Tracy Holland said. “ We fought hard all game long on both sides of the ball and made some crucial plays on both sides of the ball all night long.”
The Bronchos never trailed after getting a 25-yard field goal from Chris Robbs on the opening possession of the game and led by 10 points three times only to see Tarleton get close before finally putting the game away with 1:24 remaining on Birmingham's 25-yard scoring burst that made it 37-21.
UCO pushed its early 3-0 lead to 10-0 midway through the second period with an 11-play, 77-yard drive that saw Sharp complete all five passes for 53 yards. The big play was Matt Jackson's 30-yard reception that moved the Bronchos to the Tarleton 14-yard-line and Sharp had a five-yard keeper on a third-and-two play to keep the drive alive before Birmingham capped it with a one-yard burst.
The Texans answered back with a 74-yard TD drive that made it 10-7 at halftime, but UCO regained a 10-point advantage on its first possession of the third quarter with a short 40-yard scoring march after a four-yard Tarleton punt.
Sharp was 3-of-3 passing for 37 yards, ending it with a 29-yard strike to Davis. Robbs' extra point made it 17-7 with 11:27 left in the third period.
Tarleton needed just two plays to cover 67 yards and cut UCO's lead to 17-14, though the Bronchos came right back with a 67-yard drive of their own to push the advantage back to 10 at 24-14. Sharp's 20-yard swing pass to Birmingham keyed the drive, which ended when Sharp drilled a 10-yard scoring toss to Davis.
The Texans scored again early in the fourth quarter to once again trim the lead to three at 24-21, but again UCO responded. A short kickoff and Davis' 33-yard return set the Bronchos up in good field position at the TSU 39 and five plays later the lead was back to 10.
Birmingham ripped off runs of 10 and 15 yards in getting UCO to a first-and-goal at the three, with Sharp scoring from there on a keeper to push the advantage to 31-21 with 10:05 left to play.
The two teams traded punts before Tarleton took over at its own 23 with 2:35 left, but on the first play from there Creadell Pennon picked off a pass and returned it 32 yards to the TSU 20.
Birmingham lost five yards on two straight carries before bouncing outside and outracing the Texan secondary 25 yards to paydirt to clinch the win with just 1:24 left.
UCO outgained the Texans 333-295 in the hard-fought contest. Linebacker Kerry Wallace led the defense with 10 tackles, including one for loss, while linebacker Tucker Cason added seven tackles and cornerback Randy Stanley broke up four passes.
The Bronchos make their first road trip next week, going to San Antonio, Texas to face Incarnate Word in another LSC crossover game.
